Safe Children Coalition Announces Honorees for 2023 Giving Breakfast

January 30, 2023 – Sarasota

On Thursday, March 23, 2023, Safe Children Coalition will present its inaugural Giving Breakfast, during which four “Champions for Children” will be honored for their contributions to caring for children in our community. The 2023 honorees are: Michele Grimes, attorney, Williams Parker Attorneys at Law; Rick Oswald, senior vice president, CMSA Architects; and Bobbie and Floyd Price, Guardian Angels of SW Florida. 

The event takes place from 8-9:30 a.m. at Michael’s On East (1212 East Avenue S., Sarasota). SCC is proud to partner with Leadership Sponsor, Sunset Automotive Group, on this event; additional sponsorships of $500-$15,000 are still available.

A practicing attorney by day, Grimes has spent many years supporting area nonprofits, especially those that help children. She has served on the boards of organizations including Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County, the Service Club of Manatee County, the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, and the Sarasota Bar Association. She also chaired the board of the previous Sarasota Family YMCA and served as a trustee of the YMCA Foundation of Sarasota.

Oswald has used his architectural skills and licensed contractors’ knowledge to support Safe Children Coalition through thick and thin. Oswald is involved in the upcoming Youth Shelter project, using his unique ability to craft ideas into reality for the benefit of homeless youth in our community.

Giants in child welfare in our community, Bobbie and Floyd Price had a vision – along with other caring members of the community – to help large sibling groups of foster children in Circuit 12. That vision has resulted in the on-campus Foster Family Homes in Palmetto which, in partnership with the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes – One More Child, has provided loving physical, emotional and spiritual care for hundreds of foster children ages 0-19.

“Safe Children Coalition is committed to strengthening families and protecting children. We simply could not do it on our own,” said Brena Slater, president and CEO of Safe Children Coalition. “We are so grateful for these community leaders who have shown themselves to be true champions for children in Circuit 12!”

Safe Children Coalition is the lead agency for community-based care for Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties (Circuit 12), providing foster care, adoption, and prevention and diversion programs; nearly 9,300 children received services last year. Funds raised at the event will support these programs as well as youth prevention services, Schoolhouse Link (for children who are homeless or unaccompanied), a Youth Shelter, and more.

Honoree Sponsors for the event include Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, Clifford M. Scholz Architects, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Tandem Construction, Williams Parker Attorneys At Law, and M.E. Wilson.

For more information, visit sccfl.org or contact Jacqueline House, Safe Children Coalition’s vice president of communications and community engagement: jhouse@sccfl.org or 941-225-6166.